Elderly patients escape injury in hospital blaze

More than 60 elderly patients have escaped injury in a fire at the regional area hospital in Londonderry.

The fire at Altnagelvin Hospital was discovered in a vacant ward near the elderly care facilities at about 7.50pm on Monday April 22.

In all 64 patients, both elderly and stroke patients, had to be taken out of three wards. They were safely evacuated, and were transferred to other wards in the hospital and to a separate unit approximately 2 miles away. Following the incident 13 staff were assessed for the after-effects of smoke inhalation.

The hospital authorities said fire, police and ambulance services attended the scene and the fire was brought under control.

On Tuesday morning, patients were being medically re-assessed and, if necessary, the hospital said, will be appropriately relocated, depending on their medical needs, until the wards are re-opened.

Stella Burnside, Chief Executive of Altnagelvin Hospital in Northern Ireland, has praised hospital and emergency staff for their response to the fire.

When the fire broke out, hospital staff responded immediately to fire alarms and the hospital’s fire safety plan was put into action.

Mrs. Burnside said: “It is clear that there has been significant damage to the vacated ward area involved. Bearing in mind the proximity of the fire to wards in which very vulnerable patients were accommodated, this was potentially a very serious threat to the well-being of patients and staff alike. It was certainly very frightening and distressing for all of those involved.

“I am very proud indeed of how our staff handled this situation. It is typical of their professionalism and concern that it was only after patients had been safely evacuated and re-settled that staff reported their own ill effects.

“The hospital has a very rigorous fire safety plan which was put into effect and which ensured the speedy evacuation of all patients. Our staff were assisted by members of the Ambulance Service and to them and to the police and fire authority, I would like to offer my sincere thanks.”

The Fire Brigade said there was nothing to suggest the fire had been started maliciously.

The management of Altnagelvin Hospital said the blaze caused extensive damage to a floor and ceiling, and furniture in the empty ward was also destroyed.

(AMcE)